Imagine living in a luxury home in a world class golfing community with views like these! You can at PGA WEST, located in La Quinta, CA, whether you choose to buy a condo or a detached single family residence! They all offer amazing views. The prices range from the low $200,000s for condos to over $3 mil for luxury estates.

Pictured above are the spectacular views from a single family detached home located in the PGA Weiskopf gated community (there are 7 communities to choose from inside PGA West!) and is currently listed for $1,695,000. This fabulous home offers 4817 sq ft of luxury living with all the finest finishes and appliances, and is being offered decorator furnished!

If you prefer a condo, please consider my latest listing at 79772 Olympia Fields in the Palmer Private community, which also has million dollar views. Offered turnkey furnished for only $257,000! It’s a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 1492 sq ft townhouse with 2 master bedrooms upstairs with en suite bathrooms. One bedroom faces the lake views which you can enjoy from your private balcony, and offers a walk-in closet. The other bedroom is on the other side of the house. The lake views with the Santa Rosa Mountains to the right are stunning! Here is a photo of the million dollar views from the south-facing patio and balcony:

These are the MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS from the townhouse at 79773 Olympia Fields listed at only $257,000!

This delightful townhouse is tastefully furnished and has many upgrades including slab granite counters in the kitchen and bar area in the living room, plantation shutters throughout, ceiling fans, and more. It offers a detached two car garage, off the courtyard next to the kitchen. It boasts a fireplace in the living room for cold winter nights. There is also a guest bathroom and a closet with a new washer and dryer on the first level. There are several pools with spas nearby to choose from to enjoy. HOA dues include all landscaping, exterior paint, roof, cable, trash, insurance including earthquake insurance, 24-hour guarded gate.

This desirable property makes a great weekend getaway, or long-term second home during our season, or a year-round primary home, and/or an excellent rental income property.

Master bathroom, with dual sinks, soaking bathtub and shower, and a walk-in closet.

The entire Coachella Valley is a golf mecca, and here at PGA WEST, you are in a highly concentrated golf course area as there are 6 courses to choose from! Three are private (Palmer, Nicklaus, Weiskopf), however three are semi-private (Nicklaus Tournament, Stadium, Norman). There are 3 clubhouses, several restaurants in PGA West, and there is the affiliate connection to the La Quinta Resort and Spa, as well as The Citrus, with additional restaurants for members. Being a resident here is offering you a KEY TO THE DESERT LIFESTYLE and a KEY TO THE BEST OF LA QUINTA in particular! Whatever you are interested in whether social or golfing or fitness activities, it’s here for you to enjoy! The list is long: golf, swimming, tennis (your choice of grass, hardcore, or clay courts), pickleball, racquet ball, fitness, yoga… you get the picture! For more information on membership, please call 760-564-7111. Here is a link to discover more about the PGA West lifestyle: http://www.pgawest.com/custom/flipbook/PGAWESTBook/index.html

Golfers enjoy the Weiskopf Private course on a sunny December afternoon.

The PGA West Private Clubhouse beckons in the afternoon sun.

There are amazing lake, fairway and mountain views throughout PGA WEST!

A Spanish style home in PGA WEST Norman currently listed for $1,295,000.

The infinity pool at this home overlooks the 2nd hole in the Weiskopf Private course, offered for $3,750,000. With 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, office, it’s 7,927 sq ft on a 28,314 sq ft lot.

To summarize, there is so much to explore in PGA WEST that you need a guide to help you in your search for your perfect place in the sun, whether it’s your primary home, a secondary home, and/or an income property. There are no rental restrictions at this time at the residences of PGA WEST, and so many residents take advantage of this to rent their properties out for premium prices during special events or during the season when they are not using their properties. During our season, there are a myriad of world class events here in the desert which attracts national and international sun seekers! These events included golf and tennis tournaments, polo and other equestrian events such as HITS, music festivals such as Coachella, StageCoach, Desert Trip, fashion events, car-racing events and more! Even in the summer, people come in to brave the high temps!

If you would like more information, please contact me, Wendy Campbell, your desert realtor, at 760-587-6009. You may also be interested in checking out my website: www.WendysDesertRealEstate.com for more general information about desert real estate.

Behind the gates of the prestigious golf community of Mira Vista in Rancho Mirage are spectacular views of mountains, lakes, streams, trees, the golf course and greenery. The luxury homes were built by the renowned Toll Brothers, around 2001 to 2003, and range in size from around 2331 square feet to around 4372 square feet. Contemporary Tuscan seem to describe the style of architecture. Elegance and tranquility describe the spacious, sun-filled interiors.

Featured Property:
21 Calle Del Norte, Rancho Mirage

In a word: Beautiful!

This elegant 3 bedroom / 4 bathroom, 3422 square foot property offers great views of the lake behind it surrounded by mature trees and flowers, as well as some of the Westin Mission Hills golf course, which is far enough away to allow privacy. It boasts its own salt-water heated pool and spa with beautiful lake views.

A sparkling salt-water pool and spa with pebbletec finish

Tranquil lake views

There is ample sunlight streaming through the variety of windows, walls of glass and clerestory windows, allowing for the views of the beautiful surroundings to be fully enjoyed. The interior is classic European with crown molding, baseboards and wainscoting, painted in creams, whites and golds. Each bedroom has en suite bathrooms and their own entries to a private patio. The master bedroom has two large walk-in closets, a spacious bathroom with doorless shower and a jet tub and plenty of counter space and dual sinks.

Spacious master with 2 walk-in closets

There is a large living room area, with a wet bar, and also a formal dining area that is adjacent to the kitchen which features a big opening so plates can be passed over the counter and the chef can converse with dinner guests while in the kitchen. Granite counter tops and a granite-topped island with a stovetop with a ventilator fan panel that rises up or down with a push of a button. A laundryroom is between the kitchen and the garage, which is two car and has an immaculate epoxy floor.

Great kitchen for cooking!

All stainless steel appliances are included. The two built-in convection overs are perfect for creating multiple dishes. There is a breakfast nook that has views of one of the courtyards. This home is an entertainer’s delight, with plenty of room for guests to relax and enjoy the views and a beverage from the wet bar.

Great for entertaining!

Plenty of room for guests

This tasteful and refined home is not offered furnished, however many furnishings are negotiable outside of escrow. The list price for this home is an amazing deal: $699,900, which is the lowest price per square foot in Mira Vista at only $204 per sq. ft. The HOA dues are low: $305/month which includes all common area landscaping, a guarded gate, tennis courts, a community pool, spa and clubhouse and more.

Tennis courts at Mira Vista beckon!

The sellers have moved out and are ready to travel the world. This is an amazing opportunity for someone who wants a spacious home in the coveted community of Mira Vista in Rancho Mirage, a desert city with the nick name of “Home to Presidents” since so many presidents have lived here, including President Eisenhower, and Gerald Ford, who have streets named after them. President Obama has visited this city on numerous occasions to relax and play golf. Golfing is available at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Course and the Mission Hills Country Club.

The Westin Mission Hills Golf Course weaves its way around the Mira Vista community, yet there is plenty of privacy

Not far from this choice property is The River, which has a huge movie theatre, boutiques and stores such as Forever 21, and many popular restaurants including PF Chang’s, Fleming’s and The Cheesecake Factory.

Call me, Wendy Campbell, a realtor with Power Brokers International, for a private showing or to find out when an open house will be happening, at 760-587-6009. This is a must see!

If you love tennis, pickle-ball and shopping, the condos at Deep Canyon Tennis Club might just be the perfect spot for your desert getaway, or live here year-round. Close by are also hiking trails and churches which also feature musical concerts throughout the year. Located just up the hill from the world-famous El Paseo with its world-class shopping, restaurants and art galleries, it’s hard to find a better location!

There are 350 condo units in this desirable gated community with a 24/7 guarded gate, and offers 12 tennis courts, 1 pickle-ball court, 12 swimming pools and 4 spas, along with a clubhouse for its residents to enjoy. As of this writing the HOA dues are $514 per month and cover basically everything!

There are beautiful mountain views and lush, mature trees which together create a true paradise!

Check out my listing at 72765 Jack Kramer Ln in this delightful community! It offers 2 Bedrooms PLUS an Office and 2 Bathrooms, and is offered turnkey furnished for $250,000. Painted in pleasing desert colors, there is alot of natural light due to the solar tube and the skylight. The large private patio area offers a mature citrus tree with plenty of fruit to pick for your pleasure. There is a carport for two cars, and a washer and dryer inside a closet in the condo itself.

This desirable unit has no one above nor below and is a ground unit. There are other units in this complex that do have some one above or below them. If you would like to schedule a private showing, please contact me at 760-587-6009.

Condos in the Desert Falls Country Club in Palm Desert offer the best of “the desert lifestyle”, including a carefree life-style since the HOA takes care of everything including all landscaping, 24 hour guarded gate, exterior maintenance, cable TV, 25 community pools and spas, 9 tennis courts (lit up at night), and a 3 floor state-of-the-art fitness center. The prices for these condos are very reasonable, too, starting in the low $200,000s. No wonder this is one of the most popular country clubs in the desert! For golf enthusiasts, membership is available at the 18-hole championship Ronald Fream-designed Scottish course within the gates of Desert Falls Country Club, listed as one of the top 10 courses by the SCPGA, and has earned a four-star rating from the “Golf Digest” list of “Best Places to Play”. There are often special golf membership deals available so check in with Golf Membership Director Dan McMahan at 760-423-1283 for the latest details!

I am proud to present my new listing for a beautifully remodeled, ground-level two bedroom, two full bathroom condo overlooking the 6th tee and with fabulous views of the golf course and mountains. This 1360 square foot condo offers a nice patio with overhang on the north side where you can enjoy the panoramic views.

Here is a view of the condo and its patio, which is the lower left unit in this photo. There are four units per building.

From the front, in this following photo, you can see its two car garage which has a newer garage door. The front door is behind the stairs which go up to the unit above.

The address is 673 Vista Lago Circle N and it’s located on a quiet cul-de-sac, and surrounded by towering palm trees and colorful flowers and shrubbery.

The living room is bright and airy and has a dining area which is separated from the kitchen by an all granite counter area. There are plantation shutters throughout for a nice tropical ambiance. The 50 inch, wall-mounted, flat screen TV is to be included with the sale of this delightful condo.

All furniture and appliances are to be included in the sale of the condo. The kitchen has all granite counter-tops, newer cabinetry, newer and all-matching GE appliances including the washer and dryer in its own room.

Besides the dining area in the living room, there is a breakfast nook surrounded by windows in the kitchen.

Here is a better view of the dining area in the living room.

There are two bedrooms, and the master bedroom has its own bathroom en suite and plenty of closet space.

The other bedroom has sliding mirror closet doors, and the bathroom is in the hallway.

As previously mentioned, the GE washer and dryer are included in its own room.

While there is newer wall-to-wall carpet in the bedrooms, the rest of the floors are clad in 20 inch travertine-like ceramic tiles and set diagonally in the kitchen which opens up the space.

Be sure to talk to the Clubhouse for a tour and to learn about special membership deals (760-340-5646 ext. 225).

This highly desirable condo is offered for sale at $259,000 (reduced from $270,000), which is a great value for all the above-mentioned features.

Nearby are many shopping centers, restaurants, the McCallum Theatre for world-class cultural events and the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens for world-class tennis tournaments, and sometimes other events such as jazz concerts. This condo makes the perfect desert getaway as a second home or even as a year-round residence, which is becoming more and more common due to this area’s growing appeal and amenities. It also makes sense as an investment property since it is very easy to rent during our season which runs from October to the end of May and even into June.

Please stop by at an Open House or call agent Wendy Campbell to arrange a private showing (760-587-6009).

I wasn’t planning necessarily on attending the Coachella Music Festival 2011, especially since tickets for it sold out the day they went on sale. However, since one of my favorite groups of all time, Duran Duran, was playing, I did not rule out the possibility of trying to get in to see them SOMEHOW or another.

I was lucky enough to attend a private party held by the Radio Station Mix 100.5 at a local hotel for Duran Duran. I’ll say LUCKY! I got some great photos of the band members up close, AND I actually got a photo taken of me in between Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon along with John Taylor and Roger Taylor, and three other Duran Duran fans, which I am looking forward to seeing on the radio’s website.

In the meantime, I shot this photo of lead singer and frontman Simon Le Bon as he entered the room to the stage where they would answer questions from the audience which had been pre-written on cards.

Simon Le Bon, lead singer and frontman for Duran Duran

The band members sat on the stage and answered the questions with typical dry English humor as well as a sense of warmth and gratitude. Roger Taylor, the drummer, especially expressed his appreciation of Duran Duran’s invitation to the Coachella Music Festival, saying it was a highlight of his career with Duran Duran.

Duran Duran was one of the hottest rock and roll bands in the 1980s, and they were early pioneers in stylish music videos for their songs which aired on MTV. They were glam rockers with catchy tunes that were rock-based and dance-inspiring. Their luxurious lifestyles that included yachts, private jets, models, partying in style in all the hotspots, also caught the imagination. Their hit “View to a Kill” was featured in one of my favorite James Bond movies by the same title.

Since the 80s, they have periodically staged “comebacks” and now they have a new album called “All You Need Is Now”. I have the CD and have listened to it several times since I received it yesterday at the private party and it is great! They have returned to their roots– the catchy, rock-dance-pop sound that made them hugely popular in the first place. I highly recommend it!

Here is a group shot I took of the guys on stage, as they amused the adoring audience.

Simon Le Bon smiles at me! 🙂

One of the fun questions that was posed to them was, “What did you spend money on as soon as you hit it big financially?” John Taylor said” a car”; Nick Rhodes said “art”; Roger Taylor said “a Mercedes”, and Simon Le Bon said he spent it “on a long string of beautiful women”, which cracked everyone up.

After the interview, all the fans there were invited to get up on stage in groups of four to get up on stage with the four members of Duran Duran that were there, and have our photos taken. What a blast! Here is a photo taken that day of me and Nick Rhodes (my Favorite!). As you can see, I was tickled pink to be so close to Nick and immortalized in this photo! (Note: I did crop the group photo to show just me and Nick, for fun!)

So, after that fabulous experience, I was more determined than ever to see Duran Duran at the Coachella Music Festival, especially since it is 15 minutes away from my home AND especially since I missed Woodstock in 1969!

This year’s festival sold out in one day! And so I was going to have to get creative to attend.

I drove over to near the restricted area and parked at a friend’s house. And trekked over to where many attendees were streaming out, figuring my best bet was to buy a wristband (absolutely necessary for attending! no ifs, ands or buts, as I found out!) from someone leaving. After all it was the last night, a Sunday, and I figured many would be leaving to drive back to LA so they could get a good night’s sleep before working on the next day.

I met about three people who had luck doing just that in my efforts to flag people down to sell me their wristband. Some paid $80, one paid, $38. I ended up paying $20! All I had on me was $25 anyway. So, SUCCESS! Getting the wristband was the main hurdle. But then there was the seemingly endless, dusty trek to get to the gates into the festival. Literally, I walked MILES to get there! In high-heeled platforms, which was ridiculous, of course, to wear in the first place to such an event.

I heard Duran Duran hit the stage. I was anxious to get in! Finally I got in, but wait! At first the chip in my wristband failed! OH NO! But then– YAY! On came the Green Light when the guards scanned it again. OH my God. All this high tech stuff is freaky.

So I limped and sprinted across the fields toward the sounds from the stage where Duran Duran was playing, and there they were and there I was. GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

John Taylor with Roger Taylor on the Big Screen

They sounded great, and looked great. The crowd was enthusiastic and many sang along with the band, showing that Duran Duran has fans from all age groups.

Waving crowd

They had a great light show as well, especially during their James Bond hit “View to a Kill”. Simon Le Bon is a top frontman, elegant, with an exuberant personality and understated charisma.

Simon Le Bon

After Duran Duran played, I stuck around for a while, listened to a song by the following band the Strokes, but decided to then check out some of the art.

Attendees relax under a giant bug sculpture

After a while the melange of sounds and glowing lights and rambling people made me feel like I was inside of a giant video arcade. I was more an observer at this festival than a participant. After all, this is the Woodstock of this generation, not mine, but I was happy to observe and be a participant even at a limited level. It was great people-watching and a beautiful evening under the full moon and bright stars on a warm desert night.

I loved the wild and creative spirit, but it was highly organized, much more so than Woodstock was, obviously!

Fortunately, on the way out, a nice young couple on a golf cart took mercy upon me and gave me a hair-raising ride across fields, down dirt roads and through the crowds to one of the main roads that was closed off. They dropped me off, and I discovered I still had at least a half mile to walk down the corner where my indulging husband would be able to pick me up.

He took forever, because in his words, “it was like a police state” getting through detours and checkpoints, to find me.

All in all, it was an unforgettable experience, and alot of fun, in spite of my aching feet which are only now recovering.

I am grateful that I was able to have this experience, and I am glad to be able to share it with you!

The Coachella Music Festival helps to put this wonderful desert on the map, including for people who are looking to buy real estate. This is a beautiful spot on our planet earth, and it is very reasonably priced, especially at this time. As more and more people discover this area, more people will want to call the desert their home, at least for part of the year. As a full-time realtor, I can help you find your piece of paradise here!

Southern California offers such a rich diversity of wonderful places to live! If you have the means, you can choose to also have a second or even third home! Why not?

A home in the desert, whether it’s your primary, secondary or tertiary, is very desirable for so many reasons, as people who have been here know.

During the winter and spring months, it’s simply divine weather here, for the most part. Surrounded by mountains, groves of palm trees, blossoming trees and colorful flowers in great abundance, what is not to like? Rain is unusual, and so hiking, biking, golfing, tennis, swimming and horseback riding are the order of the day. Or watching polo games, shopping along El Paseo, dining at our many restaurants may be. It’s all up to you! At night, there are the casinos, or concerts and top entertainers at the McCallum Theatre, or take in a newly released hot movie. So much to do, so little time!

The fabulous modern contemporary home pictured above is in Palm Springs, however each desert city offers its own charms and attractions. Palm Springs has the world class cachet and world recognition, but some of the best luxury real estate in the desert can also be found in Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and La Quinta.

During the year, you might get the itch for some Big City excitement. What better place to go than the new L.A.Live area, the new Times Square West area, around the Staples Center of downtown LA?

Fabulous new condos in downtown LA!

I explored some of the new condos in downtown LA, and I was impressed! I took the photo above from the pool area of the EVO condos, a 24 story, eco-friendly constructed complex. The two sister condo buildings at the left of the photo, the Elleven and the Luma condos sold out immediately when they were completed during the hey-day of real estate buying, just before the 2008 crash. There are some resales in there now, some short sales and some foreclosures, for the bargain-hunting buyers. However, at EVO, which is brand new construction, there are now only 30 units left to buy. The great downtown location with all its entertainment venues, along with many amenities that come with the condos, and most importantly, the spectacular views afforded by the walls of glass, combined, make these condos quite attractive indeed! Prices at EVO start at around the low $500,000s.

I understand that it’s mostly owner-occupied in these condos, which attract mostly professionals who work in downtown LA, but also many empty nesters.

To step it up quite a few notches, there are the fabulous new condos at the Ritz-Carlton Residences. This building can be seen to the far right of the photo above, and is a spectacular, blue-hued tower that sparkles at night. I learned that they just closed escrow on their first condo residence just recently! About one third of the condos are still available, and most are still waiting to be completed. These condos with spectacular floor to ceiling views have attracted top entertainment figures in music and sports, as well as those who can afford this level of luxury and want to be in the midst of all the excitement that L.A. Live has to offer. Don’t forget the Walt Disney Hall is close by as well as too many interesting markets, venues, restaurants and attractions to list here! Prices start at around $800,000 and the amenities are top-notch, as you can imagine!

Finally, on a hot day, where else would you want to be but at the beach? And perhaps the most amazing stretch of beachfront properties to be found in the world are in Malibu!

To have a house on the beach in Malibu would be like a dream come true in many people’s minds, and there is quite the variety of homes to choose from along this rarified 27 mile stretch of shoreline.

Spectacular views from this newly built Malibu beach house!

Last time I looked, they were asking $14 million for this newly constructed home with this to-die-for view of the Pacific Ocean. I have a feeling that if it is still available, it is listed for considerably less. However it does have a great location on Malibu Road, very near Malibu Colony, which is gated and perhaps the priciest real estate in Malibu.

If you watch the Bravo show “Million Dollar Listing” like I do, you can see that there are spectacular houses on the beach in Malibu listed for in the $5 million range now. Amazing but true!

Now that our MLS encompasses real estate from the desert to the sea, I can help you make your dreams come true, from a fabulous desert getaway, to a condo in the midst of the excitement of downtown LA, to the best beachfront property perhaps in the world!

One of the worldwide attractions in Palm Springs is the abundance of desirable mid-century properties here, and not only the originals but new, up-dated homes inspired by the originals.

The originals were designed by such renowned architects as Albert Frey, John Lautner, William Krisel, Richard Neutra, Donald Wexler and others.

If you have fallen in love with the mid-century modern style of architecture, you have many choices of properties to buy to live in year round or just part-time during our glorious winter season, or to lease out, as an investment property.

You may want to buy an original and refurbish it, if you are a contractor and have the passion to take on such a project. There are many sources here to help you achieve the perfect outcome. To buy a foreclosed mid-century, you may be able to get one on the court steps for as little as in low $200,000s, or pick one up that is foreclosed and sold by an agent, for in the low $300,000s. Or you can pick one up that has been nicely refurbished for in the high $300,000s. One that is has been completely redone will be higher depending on the improvements.

Here is one that was bought on the court steps for about the low $200,000s about a year ago, for example:

If you want the latest and greatest that new construction can offer, but with a mid-century modern flair, then there are plenty of choices in this category as well.

For instance, the condo complex Tangerine is in a great location, on Palm Canyon Drive, and across the street from the popular restaurant and bar DINK’S and offers brand, spanking new construction, with pools, casitas, views, and some even come furnished. Prices start at around $650,000 completely designer furnished, OR for some that are unfinished and awaiting completion by your contractor or one that can be recommended by the developer, as little as $395,000. These would need an additional $150,000 plus to complete.

The condos at Tangerine in Palm Springs

Another option are the OCEO condos on East Palm Canyon Drive, which are behind the popular Koffi cafe and next to the hip ACE Hotel and many other fun spots, shops and stores. These innovative and imaginative homes on fee land (meaning you own the land) range in price from $385,000 to $650,000. The views are great of the mountains and palm trees.

Townhomes at OCEO in Palm Springs

Finally, I would like to call your attention to a brand new collection of homes at Tuscany Heights. These single family estates, a total of 15, are inspired by Tuscany and are made of the most luxurious materials and offer fantastic views, unobstructed mountain views in the back and looking down on the valley in the front. Priced at around $995,000, these would have previously sold for close to $2,000,000 plus during 2005!

Available now at Tuscany Heights, offered for $995,000

Needless to say, the choices of properties in Palm Springs and other desert cities are wide in range, and offer some of the best values possible in real estate, especially in a resort area.

Now is the time to buy, while it is still a Buyers’ Market! Contact me to arrange a free consultation about achieving your real estate goals!